through a glass darkly: blog 
through a glass darkly's blog
scientist at work , francisco j. ayala
Published Apr. 29, 2008
A recent article in the New York Times concerns Francisco Ayala, who gave a seminar earliet this month at NCSU. The article is title, "Roving Defender of Evolution, and of Room for God" (or, not the best English) (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/29/science/29prof.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin)
Some selected parts of the article follow:
Dr. Ayala, a former Dominican priest, said he told his audiences not just that evolution is a well-corroborated scientific theory, but also that belief in evolution does not rule out belief in God. In fact, he said, evolution “is more consistent with belief in a personal god than intelligent design. If God has designed organisms, he has a lot to account for.”
Consider, he said, that at least 20 percent of pregnancies are known to end in spontaneous abortion. If that results from divinely inspired anatomy, Dr. Ayala said, “God is the greatest abortionist of them all.”
...
Dr. Ayala said he remained surprised at how many Americans believe the theory of evolution is contrary to belief in God, or that the theory is erroneous or even fraudulent. (In fact, there is no credible scientific challenge to it as an explanation for the complexity and diversity of life on earth.)
...
And he dismisses the argument that it is only fair to teach both sides of the evolution/creationism controversy. “We don’t teach alchemy along with chemistry,” he said. “We don’t teach witchcraft along with medicine. We don’t teach astrology with astronomy.”
...
Neither the existence nor nonexistence of God is susceptible to scientific proof, Dr. Ayala said, and equating science with the abandonment of religion “fits the prejudices” of advocates of intelligent design and other creationist ideas.
“Science and religion concern nonoverlapping realms of knowledge,” he writes in the new book. “It is only when assertions are made beyond their legitimate boundaries that evolutionary theory and religious belief appear to be antithetical.”
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I was impressed with Miller's talk and his book is equally as good.
GOLO member since January 29, 2008
April 29, 2008 4:25 p.m.
GOLO member since April 9, 2008
April 29, 2008 3:56 p.m.
GOLO member since April 8, 2008
April 29, 2008 3:43 p.m.
GOLO member since August 27, 2007
April 29, 2008 3:30 p.m.
GOLO member since April 24, 2008
April 29, 2008 3:14 p.m.
He explains it this way...creationism would be a pool player sinking hundreds of shots, one ROUND OBJECT at a time. Evolution is a pool player making one brilliant shot that sinks a hundred ROUND OBJECTS all at once. Which is more impressive?
(apparently WRAL won't let me say what you shoot in pool!!!)
GOLO member since April 9, 2008
April 29, 2008 3:02 p.m.
GOLO member since April 24, 2008
April 29, 2008 2:38 p.m.
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